Clasping Mechanism
AssigneeWalmart Apollo, LLC
InventorsTawfeek J. Abohammdan, Timothy R. Hodges, Erica N. Poe Smith
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to individually secure carts, racks, and the like within delivery vehicles using a universal clasping mechanism. The clasping mechanism is configured to clamp shut on a portion of the carts to thereby restrain the carts during transportation. In some embodiments, locking the clasping mechanism can be achieved by pushing a portion of the mechanism to thereby pivot arms of the mechanism to clamp on a portion of the cart.
Claims20
A lock apparatus for a cart configured to couple to a linear mounting track installed within a delivery vehicle, the apparatus comprising:
- a coupling mechanism configured to couple to the linear mounting track;
- a bracket secured to the coupling mechanism;
- arms pivotably coupled to the bracket and configured to be pivoted between open and closed positions;
- a closure member configured to be shifted to pivot the arms to the closed position gripping a portion of the cart;
- a lock member having an arm engagement portion configured to engage and hold the arms in the closed position, the lock member configured to be shifted away from the arms to disengage the arm engagement portion thereof and release the arms to be pivoted to the open position.
A method for securing a cart within a delivery vehicle with a lock mechanism, the method comprising:
- coupling the lock mechanism to a linear mounting track installed within the delivery vehicle;
- shifting a closure member of the lock mechanism to pivot arms of the lock mechanism from an open position to a closed position gripping a portion of the cart;
- engaging the arms with a lock member of the lock mechanism to hold the arms in the closed position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.